Police: Millville man broke woman's hand, jaw

Mar. 14, 2013

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MILLVILLE — A son of a former city policeman who killed his wife in their family’s home seven years ago was arrested there Tuesday evening on charges stemming from a violent domestic dispute.

Dylan Vanaman, 20, of South Wedgewood Court was arrested for striking a 19-year-old city woman in the face during a domestic dispute, police said Wednesday. The victim suffered a broken jaw and a broken hand in the incident, police said.

Vanaman also allegedly attempted to choke the victim, authorities said. He was charged with aggravated assault and simple assault.

Police were dispatched to the scene on the 2200 block of South Wedgwood Court at 9:21 p.m. Police said there was at least one witness at the scene, who informed officers that Vanaman also had drugs in his bedroom and car. Marijuana was found in both locations, police said. Vanaman subsequently was charged with marijuana possession as well as possession with intent to distribute.

Vanaman is the son of Robert Vanaman, a former Millville police sergeant who fatally shot his wife, 37-year-old Barbara Elke Vanaman, in 2006. That incident also stemmed from a domestic dispute. Robert Vanaman, 44, is currently serving a prison sentence until May 2014, according to state Department of Corrections records. Robert Vanaman pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and evidence tampering.

Tuesday’s incident happened in the same home where Dylan Vanaman’s mother was killed. He also is the nephew of City Commissioner David Vanaman, police said.

The victim in Tuesday’s incident was taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for treatment. Dylan Vanaman was held in Cumberland County Jail on $20,000 bail.

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